Puerto Rican eatery brings Caribbean culture to Crestview

Yanira Alvarez-Ortiz and her husband, Jorge Alvarez, bring the ambience of a Puerto Rican neighborhood "chinchorro" eatery to Crestview.

BRIAN HUGHES | News Bulletin

By BRIAN HUGHES / News Bulletin

Published: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 10:50 AM.

CRESTVIEW — Yanira Alvarez-Ortiz says her new eatery is more than a place for a hearty, home-cooked Puerto Rican meal.

She and her husband, Jorge Alvarez, a 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) soldier, created Puerto Rico in Crestview to be a gathering place where lively music plays, family members of all ages can gather and domino games can run nonstop.

Such culture is special for the couple, who met at a chinchorro in Jorge's Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, hometown.

"The food at a chinchorro is special because it is homemade," Alvarez-Ortiz said.

"The 7th Group families love chinchorros," Alvarez said. "They've been waiting so long for someone to start the concept here. It's our way to share a little of our culture with Crestview."

Caribbean comes to Crestview

"There is no one in the area who does Caribbean food," Alvarez-Ortiz said. "People know dishes from Mexico or South America, but they are not the same.

CRESTVIEW — Yanira Alvarez-Ortiz says her new eatery is more than a place for a hearty, home-cooked Puerto Rican meal.

She and her husband, Jorge Alvarez, a 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) soldier, created Puerto Rico in Crestview to be a gathering place where lively music plays, family members of all ages can gather and domino games can run nonstop.

Such culture is special for the couple, who met at a chinchorro in Jorge's Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, hometown.

"The food at a chinchorro is special because it is homemade," Alvarez-Ortiz said.

"The 7th Group families love chinchorros," Alvarez said. "They've been waiting so long for someone to start the concept here. It's our way to share a little of our culture with Crestview."

Caribbean comes to Crestview

"There is no one in the area who does Caribbean food," Alvarez-Ortiz said. "People know dishes from Mexico or South America, but they are not the same.

"We speak the same language but the food is completely different. It is less spicy but it has a special taste that makes it Caribbean."

The restaurant, which held its grand opening Sunday, features a simple menu of island dishes.